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BookBaby Publishing: Should You Use Them? [Process and Pricing]

7/3/2023

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BookBaby Publishing: Should You Use Them? [Process and Pricing]


Are you an author looking to have your manuscript turned into a paperback and e-book for sale on Amazon and other major retailer platforms? BookBaby is a publishing platform that can make that a reality in a short amount of time. Unlike many traditional publishers, BookBaby does not have a lengthy selection process. You can start self-publishing your book through them today. In this post, find out how the process works, what the pricing is, and whether BookBaby is the right publishing option for you.
BookBaby publishing

What is BookBaby?


BookBaby is a service authors can use to streamline the self-publishing process. Instead of hiring and managing freelancers for tasks like cover design, file formatting, and distribution, authors can rely on BookBaby to coordinate all the tasks necessary for the launch of a self-published book.
BookBaby website
Visit BookBaby Site

Is BookBaby a traditional publisher?


No. A traditional publishing company acquires the rights to a book from an author, then covers the costs of launching and marketing the book. The royalties are split between the author and publisher via agreed-upon percentages.

In this arrangement, the author does not pay the publishing company for any of the tasks needed to launch the book. Traditional publishers are quite selective about books they choose for deals. Even if your book is selected, the time between deal close and launch can be months, maybe over a year.

​With BookBaby, your manuscript does not go through a detailed selection process. If you choose to work with them, your book can be live for sale within a much shorter time frame.

You will need pay them for upfront their service. However, when royalties begin coming in for your book, you will keep 100% of them for e-book sales, and a large percentage for paperback sales.

BookBaby alternatives


​If you're looking to self-publish your book, you do have the option to coordinate the project yourself. You will need to hire freelancers for the necessary tasks, or do them on your own. Tasks include:
​
  • Cover design
  • E-book formatting
  • Paperback formatting
  • Retailer distribution
  • Retailer book descriptions
  • Advertising campaigns

​Though handling tasks on your own and hiring freelancers can be cost-effective, the time commitment can be significant.

​With a self-publishing partner like BookBaby, you don't need to do any of these tasks yourself, or spend time selecting and managing freelancers. BookBaby will assure everything is handled.

Other self-publishing service firms exist. Though I'm sure many do a quality job, BookBaby has a great reputation in the industry, with over 4,000 reviews on Trustpilot. If you feel working with a firm would be a good fit for you, I'd recommend BookBaby. Sign up on their site to get started:
Visit BookBaby Site

When should you partner with BookBaby?


Various steps are involved in the book-publishing process. First, you of course need to write your book. Then, you need to edit your book.

Some authors have great relationships with specific editors. If you're a writer like this, you can absolutely have the editor(s) of your choice edit your manuscript, then select let BookBaby onto the project from that point.

If you don't happen to have a relationship with a trusted editor, BookBaby provides editing services. Feel free to reach out to them early in the publication process, ie, as soon as you've finished your manuscript, but before anyone has edited it.

BookBaby self-publishing packages


BookBaby offers three self-publishing packages:

  • BookBaby Express. This option is for authors who already have completed book files and do not require cover design or interior formatting. BookBaby will set up your book for e-book and paperback distribution and get it listed for sale on Amazon and other major retailers. E-books can be downloaded directly to e-readers like Kindle, while paperbacks are created and mailed to buyers via print on demand services. The Express package does not include a marketing strategy for your book.
 
  • BookBaby Complete. This package is for authors who need a cover design and interior formatting for their e-book and paperback versions. BookBaby will handle those tasks for you, in addition to giving you the retailer distribution offered in the Express package.
​
  • BookBaby Deluxe. This choice is for authors who want a firm to handle the book-publication process from end to end. You'll get everything that's included in the Complete package, plus advertising support. This includes the building of marketing campaigns for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other sites, the inclusion of your book in the BookBaby Bookshop, and the optimization of book metadata on Amazon and other retailers.

BookBaby pricing


The BookBaby self-publishing packages are offered for one-time payments:

  • Express is $990
  • Complete is $1,990 
  • Deluxe is $2,590

Though these prices aren't cheap, if you want to self-publish a book, tasks like cover design and file formatting are necessary. Amazon and other retailers will reject your book if it doesn't meet their specifications. You can't avoid paying for certain services.

Yes, you may be able to save some money if you coordinated the project yourself, hiring freelancers. However, the total cost to self-publish a book with quality freelancers likely wouldn't be much less than what BookBaby is offering, yet you'd be required to manage the project yourself.

Though BookBaby may be slightly more expensive, you'd be gaining convenience and time. You can use the extra time to write your next book. 

Do you have questions? BookBaby's team of publishing professionals can help. You can contact them on their site:
Visit BookBaby Site

BookBaby services


​Though BookBaby's self-publishing packages are popular, the firm also offers various other services you may be interested in:

  • Hardcover book printing
  • Audiobook creation
  • Line editing
  • Proofreading
  • Copy editing
  • Book-synopsis creation
  • ​Ad creation
  • Translation
  • Bookmark creation
  • Poster creation

How BookBaby works


  • First, create your account on the BookBaby site
 
  • Browse the many guides and resources available for free
 
  • Feel free to contact BookBaby's support team via phone or email with any questions
 
  • Order a self-publishing package and/or other services (online quotes are provided)
​ 
  • Based on the service(s) you order, you'll be asked to submit some required items (ex, your completed manuscript)
 
  • The BookBaby team will keep you informed on progress and expected completion dates as they handle your project
 
  • You'll be able to review produced material, offer feedback, and give final approval

BookBaby genres


BookBaby's self-publishing packages and other book services are applicable to a wide variety of genres across both fiction and non-fiction. BookBaby covers these genres and more:
​
  • Thriller
  • Mystery
  • Crime
  • ​Horror
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Romance
  • Science fiction
  • Memoir
  • ​Comedy
  • ​Fantasy

Get started with BookBaby


Ready to get started self-publishing your book with BookBaby? Great. Create your account and get started today. Do you feel the service is right for you, but still have a few questions before moving forward? No problem. Create your account and reach out to BookBaby's team with questions.
Create BookBaby Account


​This post contains affiliate links.
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Copyright 2023 Ted Galdi
  • Home
  • About
    • Mailing List
    • Bio
    • Contact
    • Awards
    • Interviews
    • Announcements
  • Books
    • Novels >
      • Black Quiet
      • Razor Moon
      • Sky's Shadow
      • Edge of Chaos
      • Lion on Fire
      • An American Cage
      • Elixir
      • Three Thriller Boxset
    • Short Stories >
      • Vandal
      • Shapes of Dark
      • The Split
      • Intrusion
      • Hazel Is Missing
      • A Road to Nowhere
      • Chasing Dawn
  • Courses